A Florida woman, Teresa Webster, has been arrested in Louisiana for her involvement in a multi-state theft operation targeting major retailers like Dillard’s and Home Depot.
Authorities say the crime spree stretched across several states, with Webster implicated in numerous retail thefts along the I-10 corridor, spanning from Florida to Texas.
Arrest and Initial Investigation
Webster, 56, from Boynton Beach, Florida, was apprehended this week in Jennings, Louisiana, after a car crash on Interstate 10. The crash occurred on July 29, when a vehicle pulling a trailer overturned, trapping the occupants inside.
The crash resulted in minor injuries, and local police soon identified Webster as the driver responsible for the erratic driving that led to the accident.
At the scene, officers suspected that Webster was under the influence of narcotics. She was detained, and a toxicology screening was conducted, though results are still pending.
Following the crash, officers obtained a search warrant for Webster’s vehicle, where they reportedly discovered drug paraphernalia and items believed to be stolen.
Connection to Retail Thefts
The investigation revealed that Webster was involved in thefts at several retail locations. Police linked her to a theft at a Home Depot in Slidell, Louisiana, where tools were stolen. She is also suspected of stealing a Louis Vuitton handbag worth $1,350 from a Dillard’s department store in Alabama.
Surveillance footage from multiple retailers across the I-10 corridor showed Webster’s involvement in several other thefts.
Criminal History and Ongoing Investigation
Webster has an extensive criminal history across four states, including charges related to narcotics possession and trafficking, retail theft, fraud, and possession of stolen property.
Authorities are continuing to investigate her activities and are collaborating with law enforcement agencies from other states to identify additional crimes she may have committed.
Current Legal Status
Webster is currently being held at the Jefferson Davis Parish Jail with a bond set at $12,500. The investigation remains ongoing, and more charges may follow as authorities continue to piece together the full scope of her criminal activities.
